When the speaker doesn’t know, doesn’t want to tell or can't tell the exact number, the approximate numbers can be used.

In this lesson, the approximate number "几" is introduced. "几" means several, which indicates an inexact number from two to nine. It can also used before "十 ten, 百 a hundred, 千 a thousand, etc., or after "ten."

“几 several” refers to an inexact number only from two to nine.

“十几” refers to an exact number between ten and twenty. “二十几” indicates an exact number between twenty and thirty
and so forth, such as 三十几、四十几……九十几, etc.

“几十” means scores of, which refers to an inexact number from ten to ninety. “几百” means hundreds of. It indicates an inexact number from one hundred to nine hundred. “几千” means thousands of, which indicates an inexact number from one thousand to nine thousand. “几万”, or ten thousands of, refers to an inexact number from ten thousand to ninety thousand.

Chinese Culture

Green Hats

Chinese men will never wear a green hat. In traditional Chinese culture, if a man’s wife commits adultery, others will say she’s wearing a green hat for her husband. So save yourself some trouble and never buy a green hat for a Chinese man. It can be a rather awkward gift.

Sometimes going shopping can be stressful. Have you ever been pressured into buying something you really didn't need? In this lesson by eChineselearning, you will learn some Chinese words and phrases that will help you get a persistent salesperson off your back.

Comments

Aliyah says

ni qu

December 13, 2011Reply

Helen Zhang (Chinese Teacher) in reply to Aliyah

Hey Aliyah,
Ni hao!
If you have any questions, just feel free to let me know.
I would be glad to help you.

December 14, 2011Reply

teddy says

Hi Becky,
I can not download the lesson text. Please advice.
Thank you

March 9, 2018Reply

teddy says

Hi Becky,
Sorry, I can download the text now after singin in.
Sorry.

March 9, 2018Reply

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